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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by oneamradio on August 19, 2004, at 4:53:11
Okay, a while back I posted (essentially) my story and experiences with Effexor XR. Here's what's going on in a nutshell: I've been on Effexor XR for almost a year and 3 months now. I've been on the dosage of 450 mg for about a year if my memory serves me correctly. I recently told my psych in June that I didn't think it was working for me. I've read plenty of other people's experiences, and I think I would -know- if it was doing the trick. If I can still suffer from severe crying spells or get to the point where I'm so down I don't know what to do, I think there's a problem. I'm on an extremely high dosage (is anyone on this dosage or higher) and it's just not doin' it for me.
So, it pretty much boiled down to him in denial and referring me to a therapist within the same office. I've been to the therapist twice now, and I honestly don't like her. I just don't feel comfortable talking to someone about stuff so personal to me. I guess this is a little different. She just seems to be trying to get me to think things that I don't think are necessarily true. She keeps telling me that I'm making generalizations (which is true, I have made generalizations based on past experiences), but she goes on to say that I think of everyone in a negative way which is totally untrue. She acts like I don't give anyone a chance which is utterly ridiculous because if that was true, I wouldn't get hurt so often by new people. Heh. Anyway, I have to see her in about 6 hours, and if this session doesn't seem to help or do anything for me, I dunno what to do. I'd feel really bad brushing her off since they're in the same office area, but maybe therapy just isn't for me. It was really shitty of my psych to just brush me off and toss me onto someone else like that.
I know that upping my dosage of Effexor isn't the solution. I just don't know what the hell to do anymore. I'm willing to try anything which is why I'm giving therapy a shot, but... I'm just running in circles now.
Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by woolav on August 19, 2004, at 7:44:30
In reply to Told doc that Effexor XR didn't seem to be working, posted by oneamradio on August 19, 2004, at 4:53:11
I cant believe that. I have changed meds 3 times in the last year. I give it about 3 months and if i dont feel improvement i tell my pdoc and she says "well, lets try something else". She hasnt referred me to a therapist. ( i may go on my own, because i have issues from the past) but she hasnt told me to! I think you ought to consider another pdoc or at least tell him/her that you are thinking about that because you feel he/she isnt listening to what your saying. Pdocs make me mad in a way, because they have never been on any of these meds - so how the heck do they know what we feel or need!!!!!
S
Posted by Waki on August 19, 2004, at 8:51:23
In reply to Re: Told doc that Effexor XR didn't seem to be working, posted by woolav on August 19, 2004, at 7:44:30
When things were not working for me, my p-doc said we will continue to try different things. However he also asked me to pursue a second opinion preferably at a medical center that has a university.
It took me 3 years to see some improvement.
Point being I think it's common your p-doc is feeling they do not know what else to do. It's also common you are not comfortable with this therapist. I know people that have changed 10 times.
Think of this as a great opportunity for improvement.
Change is difficult but remember your the customer. It's time for this (you) customer to take your BMW out of that Checy dealer and fine a BMW mechanic.
Your taking this problem personal. Your like an automobile at the wrong mechanic.
It's extremely frustrating, but a new second opinion at the correct specialist will open up great opportunities for change.
Posted by denise1904 on August 19, 2004, at 14:20:26
In reply to Told doc that Effexor XR didn't seem to be working, posted by oneamradio on August 19, 2004, at 4:53:11
Hi,
I agree, that it was unfair of your pdoc to pass you off to a therapist, they seem to do that when they don't know what to try next.
I agree you shouldnt have been taking it for so long at the same dose if it wastn't working and I also agree that you would KNOW if it was. If something is working you don't have to ask yourself whether it's working or not you just know it. I don't know what to suggest, the only thing that seemed to help me when I was very very bad was 10mg of Zyprexa every now and again but only when I was feeling really suicidal, I tried everything including Nardil. Then I went back to another psychiatrist who was less arrogant than the previous one and he decided to try me back on paxil (Seroxat) only at a high dose 40mg, at the same time my mum and my friend were praying for me and for some reason I saw a small light at the end of the tunnel, I remember a week after starting it and feeling very negative about it suddenly feeling a break in the clouds and feeling slightly stronger than I had before. I'm still nowhere near well and am still searching but I suppose you've just got to keep on trying because there is nothing else to do. Also, one of the worse things about this illness is that when you feel that way you keep thinking that there is something you should be doing, thinking etc that you're not and that will get you out of it or that you're just not trying hard enough and no matter what you do try "yourself" as opposed to taking medication nothing seems to work. That's just how feel when I'm at rock bottom.
I remember taking Effexor myself and it didn't seem to do much but make me feel zoned out but I think I was only taking about 150.
Anyway keep trying and if you don't feel comfortable with this therapist then go and see someone else. Maybe ask some people close to you to pray for you, I'm not particularly religious but you never know it might help, it can't harm.
Denise
This is the end of the thread.
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